Liberalised visa for Indo-Pak journalists sought

Mumbai: Mediapersons from Mumbai and Karachi press clubs have called for liberalised visa regime for journalists from both countries to ensure free exchange of information.

The demand came at a seminar on `The role of media in promoting peace in the sub-continent`, where the 14-member media delegation from Karachi and Hyderabad (Sindh) participated.

The Pakistani media team arrived yesterday for a week-long visit. A 22 member delegation from Mumbai Press club had visited Karachi and Hyderabad in November last year.

Tahir Hasan Khan, senior reporter of `The News` and president of the Karachi Press Club said governments of both countries should give multiple entry visas to journalists for atleast one year so that they can travel frequently.

Stressing the need for removal of media restrictions, Jatin Desai of Mumbai Press Club said currently only two journalists of other country are allowed to operate in the host country.
"Journalists of `The Hindu` and PTI have to function from Islamabad and have to take permissions to travel even to Rawalpindi. Similarly, reporters from Pakistan stationed in Delhi cannot travel easily to places like Noida and Gurgaon," he said.

Tahir Hasan Khan said if the two countries are considering providing multiple entry visas for businessmen of the two countries, the same should be done for journalists since it would create conducive atmosphere for enduring peace.
PTI